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Abstract:

A pneumatic compactor includes a power source configured to generate
power, a pneumatic tire configured to rotate, a chain drive assembly that
couples the power source to the pneumatic tire, a proximity sensor, an
indicator, a braker controller, and a controller. The chain drive
assembly has a chain case and a chain housed in the chain case. The
proximity sensor is coupled to the chain case and configured to detect a
breakage of the chain and generate a signal signifying the breakage of
the chain. The indicator is configured to indicate the breakage of the
chain. The brake controller is configured to stop rotation of the
pneumatic tire. The controller is configured to receive the indication
from the proximity sensor signifying the breakage of the chain, command
the indicator to indicate the breakage of the chain, and command the
brake controller to stop rotation of the pneumatic tire.

Claims:

1. A pneumatic compactor comprising: a power source configured to
generate power; a pneumatic tire configured to rotate; a chain drive
assembly that couples the power source to the pneumatic tire; wherein the
chain drive assembly comprises: a chain case having a first end and a
second end; a chain housed in the chain case; a proximity sensor located
coupled to the chain case, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to:
detect a breakage of the chain; and generate a signal signifying the
breakage of the chain; an indicator configured to indicate the breakage
of the chain; a brake controller configured to stop rotation of the
pneumatic tire; and a controller configured to: receive the indication
from the proximity sensor indicating the breakage of the chain; command
the indicator to indicate the breakage of the chain; and command the
brake controller to stop rotation of the pneumatic tire.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to pneumatic compactor, more
particularly to a powertrain with a chain breakage detection system for
the pneumatic compactor.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Compactors are extensively used in the road construction industry
for construction and repair of the road surfaces. There are a variety of
compactors such as soil compactors, landfill compactors, vibratory
compactors, tandem vibratory roller compactors, pneumatic compactors, and
the like. The present disclosure is directed to the pneumatic compactors.
The pneumatic compactors include a set of pneumatically inflated tires.
The operation of the pneumatic compactor is based on the pressure inside
the set of pneumatically inflated tires. The set of pneumatically
inflated tires may be driven by a powertrain of the pneumatic compactor.
The powertrain of a pneumatic compactor generally includes an engine, a
transmission, and a chain drive. The chain drive transmits power/motion
from the transmission to the set of pneumatically inflated tires of the
pneumatic compactor. A typical chain drive may include one or more chains
in a chain case. The chains may wear out with time due to excessive use
or fatigue loading which may lead to breaking of the one or more chains.
The breakage of the one or more chains may damage the powertrain of the
pneumatic compactor, among other things.

[0003] In instances where the chain drive has multiple chains, a single
chain may break while the other chains are in a proper working condition.
Therefore, the breakage of the chain may go unnoticed by an operator in
such a chain drive.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] A pneumatic compactor includes a power source configured to
generate power, a pneumatic tire configured to rotate, a chain drive
assembly that couples the power source to the pneumatic tire, a proximity
sensor, an indicator, a braker controller, and a controller. The chain
drive assembly has a chain case and a chain housed in the chain case. The
proximity sensor is coupled to the chain case and configured to detect a
breakage of the chain and generate a signal signifying the breakage of
the chain. The indicator is configured to indicate the breakage of the
chain. The brake controller is configured to stop rotation of the
pneumatic tire. The controller is configured to receive the indication
from the proximity sensor signifying the breakage of the chain, command
the indicator to indicate the breakage of the chain, and command the
brake controller to stop rotation of the pneumatic tire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an exemplary pneumatic compactor
in which the present disclosure can be implemented in accordance with an
embodiment;

[0006] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a powertrain in which the present
disclosure may be implemented in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0007] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate a perspective view and top view of a
chain drive assembly in which the present disclosure may be implemented
in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein
with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The specific
structural and functional details disclosed herein are intended to be
exemplary and should not be interpreted as limiting the disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a pneumatic compactor 100 according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The pneumatic compactor 100
comprises a mainframe 102, an operator's cab 104 and a powertrain (not
shown in figure). The mainframe 102 may be an outer structural frame
which may include a plurality of sub structures/sub frames. The mainframe
102 provides an overall structure to the pneumatic compactor 100 and acts
as a support to the operator's cab 104. The operator's cab 104 is
configured to house various operating controls of the pneumatic compactor
100. The various operating controls include a steering control, a display
panel, lever for brake, clutch, accelerator, among other things. The
various operating controls are used to control the a powertrain 200.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the powertrain 200 according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure. The powertrain 200 comprises a
power source 202, a transmission 204, a chain drive assembly 206, a set
of pneumatically inflated tires 208, a controller 210, an indicator 212,
and a brake controller 214.

[0011] The power source 202 is configured to generate power. The generated
power is used to operate the pneumatic compactor 100. The power source
202 may include but not limiting to an internal combustion engine, an
electric drive motor, a hydraulic motor and the like. The power source
202 is functionally coupled to the transmission 204.

[0012] The transmission 204 is configured to transfer the power generated
by the power source 202 to the chain drive assembly 206. The transmission
204 can be a mechanical transmission or a hydraulic transmission, and the
present disclosure is not dependent on any one transmission type. In an
embodiment, the transmission 204 may include an input shaft, a set of
gears and an output shaft, or the like. The input shaft is configured to
functionally couple the transmission 204 to the power source 202. The
input shaft is rotatably coupled to the set of gears. The set of gears
may be configured to provide multiple selectable gear ratios for power
transmission. Thus, enabling the transmission 204 to control the power
generated by the power source 202. The set of gears may be functionally
coupled to the output shaft. The output shaft may be rotatably coupled to
the chain drive assembly 206. The output shaft is configured to transmit
a rotatory motion to the set of pneumatically inflated tires 208 via the
chain drive assembly 206.

[0013] Further, the powertrain 200 includes a controller 210, an indicator
212, and a brake controller 214. The controller 210 is any controller
known in the art that is able to receive a signal from a sensor and
accordingly generate a command based on the signal received from the
sensor.

[0014] The indicator 212 can be an alarm device which can indicate a
condition. In an embodiment, the indicator 212 can be audio or visual
alarm which can be triggered based on the command from the controller
210.

[0015] The brake controller 214 can be a traditional brake controller on
vehicle and is configured to receive a command from the controller 210 to
apply brakes. In other words, the brake controller 214 can communicate
and apply brakes as commanded by the controller 210. The functioning of
controller 210, the indicator 212 and the brake controller 214 is further
described in FIG. 3.

[0016] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate a perspective view and top view of the
chain drive assembly 206, respectively. The chain drive assembly 206
according to an embodiment of the current disclosure may comprise a chain
case 302, a first sprocket 304, a chain 306, a second sprocket 308 and a
proximity sensor 310.

[0017] The chain case 302 may be configured to house various components of
the chain drive assembly 206 as described above. In one embodiment, the
chain case 302 may house the controller 210 in addition to the first
sprocket 304, the chain 306, the second sprocket 308 and the proximity
sensor 310. The chain case 302 may have a first end 312 and a second end
314. As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 the chain case 302 houses the
first sprocket 304 at the first end 312. The second sprocket 308 is
located at the second end 314 of the chain case 302. The first sprocket
304 and the second sprocket 308 are connected by a chain 306. The chain
case 302 may further include the proximity sensor 310. The proximity
sensor 310 can be mounted at the first end 312 or the second end 314.
Hence, the chain case 302 in a manner envelops and may act as a
protective cover to protect the first sprocket 304, the chain 306, the
second sprocket 308 and the proximity sensor 310 from oil, dirt, and
other environmental factors. The chain 306 is any chain known in the art
for transferring energy from the first sprocket 304 to the second
sprocket 308. In normal operation, the chain 306 is an unbroken loop.

[0018] The first sprocket 304 may be rigidly mounted to the output shaft
of the transmission 204 such that the first sprocket 304 rotates with the
rotation of the output shaft of the transmission 204. The output shaft of
the transmission 204 may transfer the rotational motion to the first
sprocket 304. The rotational motion of the first sprocket 304 may further
be transmitted to the second sprocket 308 via the chain 306. The chain
306 may rotatably pass over the first sprocket 304 and the second
sprocket 308. The first sprocket 304 may rotate the chain 306. The chain
306 may in turn, rotate the second sprocket 308. Hence, the first
sprocket 304, the chain 306 and the second sprocket 308 along with the
proximity sensor 310 forms a chain drive assembly 206. The second
sprocket 308 may be rigidly coupled to the set of pneumatically inflated
tires 208. The set of pneumatically inflated tires 208 may be configured
to replicate the rotational motion of the second sprocket 308 and rotate
along with the second sprocket 308.

[0019] The chain drive assembly 206 further includes the proximity sensor
310. The proximity sensor 310 is configured to detect the failure of the
chain 306. In other words, the proximity sensor 310 can be configured to
detect the presence or absence of the chain 306 in proximity and send a
signal accordingly. In an embodiment, the proximity sensor 310 can be an
optical sensor, a magnetic field sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, an
ultrasonic sensor and the like. However, it is evident to a person with
ordinary skills in the art that type of the proximity sensor used,
nowhere affects the functionality of the present disclosure. The
proximity sensor 310 may be mounted in the chain case 302 such that the
proximity sensor 310 is in close proximity to the chain 306. In one
embodiment, the proximity sensor 310 may be mounted at the first end 312
at the first sprocket 304. However, the mounting location of the
proximity sensor 310 in above embodiment is not intended to be limiting.
The proximity sensor 310 may be mounted at a suitable location inside the
chain case 302 such that the proximity sensor 310 is able to detect a
broken chain. The proximity sensor 310 may generate a signal when it
detects the breakage or failure of the chain 306. In other words, the
proximity sensor 310 can detect the presence or absence of the chain 306
and generate a signal accordingly. The signal generated by the proximity
sensor 310 may be monitored by the controller 210.

[0020] The controller 210 is configured to monitor the signal generated by
the proximity sensor 310. The controller 210 may further perform a series
of operations based on a signal generated by the proximity sensor 310. In
other words, the controller 210 may receive the signal from the proximity
sensor 310 and generate a command to perform a one or more operations.
The one or more operations may include controlling the powertrain 200,
commanding the brake controller 214 to apply brakes and provide an
indication about the fault with the help of the indicator 212. In one
embodiment, the controller 210 may command to perform all the three
operations. For example, the controller 210 may command the powertrain
200 to slow down and gradually halt, and also command the brake
controller 214 to apply brakes. In addition, the controller 210 may
simultaneously command the indicator 212 to trigger a visual alarm or an
audio visual alarm indicating the breakage of the chain 306. In an
embodiment, the pneumatic compactor 100 may have the indicator 212 in the
operator's cab 104. The controller 210 may indicate the fault with the
help of the indicator 212 in an event of the breakage of the chain 306.
The controller 210 may further display information on nature of failure,
such as how many chains or which chain has failed.

[0021] In operation in an exemplary embodiment, the proximity sensor 310
is mounted in the chain case 302 to detect the breakage of the chain 306
while the chain 306 rotates along with the first sprocket 304 and the
second sprocket 308. The chain 306 may break/fail due to wear, excessive
loading of the pneumatic compactor 100 or any other reason during the
power transmission. The proximity sensor 310 is disposed inside the chain
case 302 to determine breakage of the chain 306. In an embodiment, the
chain 306 may include magnetic links, which can be sensed by the
proximity sensor 310. The proximity sensor 310 may detect a breakage of
the chain 306 when one or more magnetic links of the chain 306 are
missing. Further, the proximity sensor 310 generates a signal when the
breakage of the chain 306 is detected. The controller 210 may be
configured to monitor the signal generated by the proximity sensor 310.
The controller 210 may command to halt the powertrain 200 and/or command
the brake controller 214 to apply the brakes, when the controller 210
senses the signal generated by the proximity sensor 310. The controller
210 may further command the indicator 212 to indicate the operator about
the breakage of the chain 306.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0022] The disclosed chain drive assembly 206 for pneumatic compactor 100
may be used in powertrains of earthmoving and construction equipment such
as compactors, scraping machines, conveyors and other similar machines
where chain drive can be used for power transmission. In the given
embodiments of the disclosure, a proximity sensor 310 is used to detect
the breakage of the chain 306 used in the powertrain 200. The proximity
sensor 310 is mounted in the chain case 302 to detect the breakage of the
chain 306. The proximity sensor 310 generates a signal when the breakage
of the chain 306 is detected. The controller 210 is configured to halt
the powertrain 200, actuate the brake controller 214 to apply brakes and
indicate an operator about the breakage with the help of the indicator
212 when the breakage of the chain 306 is detected by the proximity
sensor 310. The operator may replace the chain 306, when it breaks. This
may prevent any further damage or wear in the powertrain 200.

[0023] The idea of present disclosure is of advantage in industrial
applications, earthmoving equipment, and the like. The idea can be used
in pneumatic compactors and other earth moving machines where chain
breakage is a frequent incident and detection of chain breakage is
required for successful and efficient functioning of the machine.